Los Angeles River

Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Most of the Los Angeles River's flow these days consists of reclaimed water dumped by city treatment plants. That has provided a boon for shorebirds downstream during what has been the driest year on record in Los Angeles. Here, treated effluent from the L.A.-Glendale water treatment plant flows into the river near Griffith Park.

Most of the Los Angeles River's flow these days consists of reclaimed water dumped by city treatment plants. That has provided a boon for shorebirds downstream during what has been the driest year on record in Los Angeles. Here, treated effluent from the L.A.-Glendale water treatment plant flows into the river near Griffith Park. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Effluent is processed at the Los Angeles-Glendale water treatment plant before it is released into the Los Angeles River near Griffith Park. The city uses such recycled water for only 1% of its irrigation needs; the vast majority of the flow from two Valley facilities ends up in the river.

Effluent is processed at the Los Angeles-Glendale water treatment plant before it is released into the Los Angeles River near Griffith Park. The city uses such recycled water for only 1% of its irrigation needs; the vast majority of the flow from two Valley facilities ends up in the river. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)